Bookkeeping

book-kee-pingnoun: bookkeeping; noun: book-keeping1. the activity or occupation of keeping records of the financial affairs of a business2. theworkorskillofkeepingaccountbooksorsystematicrecordsofmonetarytransactions

Kim's bio in brief

Over 20 years experience

Qualified to:

AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting

ICB Diploma in Payroll Management

ICB Diploma in Costing & Budgeting

Membership: Fellow of Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

Practice Licence with ICB

Experience from working in Practice

Experienced in (but not limited to):

Bars and Restaurants

Charities

Consultancies

Construction and Architectural

Estate Agencies

IT Specialists

Legal Practices

Manufacturing

Media, Production and PR

Private Schools and Colleges

Retail

Working for:

SMEs and Micro businesses

Sole Traders, Partnersips, LLPs and Ltd Companies

So what do you need to know about Parks Bookkeeping Services?

As early as 7,000 years ago, the Mesopotamians were found to be keeping financial records, although there is also evidence to suggest other earlier cultures were recording their finances; therefore, making bookkeepping a possible contender to being one of the oldest professions in the world - even older than prostitution. As city and cultural financial and taxation needs grew, bookkeeping was developed and by the medieval 14th century it was generally recognisable as the system that is used today.

Parks Bookkeeping Services is neither several hundered years old nor is it medieval, but it does have a long association with bookkeeping and accountancy. Kim, the practice owner, is third generation following on from where both her grandparents and parents left off. So she's experienced a lot; manual bookkeeping ledger systems, the introduction of the Sage Accounts package in DOS, the arrival of Quickbooks desktop onto the market and now cloud accounting. "You need to cut your teeth somewhere, and the red and green of Sage DOS will stay with me for years" she jokes, "but I think the 1980s to today have been the most exciting of times and I'm glad to have been priviledged to live through them."

PBS is committed to helping business owners gain their own 'financial' freedom by providing the best financial outsourcing solution needed. We spend the time understanding your business, Kim herself knows how to make an hydraulic hose, "you can't understand how a business works unless you've worked in it. At Pirtek one of my main jobs was volume invoicing so I needed to make sure that the correct amount of items were sold for each hose made. As this was an on-site service it was often difficult to ask the salesman what he'd used so it enabled me to make sure common ommissions were rectified quickly," she continues, "how can we offer a bespoke service unless we know what it is that you do?" So, we'll spend a little time listening to your requirements before offering suggestions and advice based upon that. Once you're happy with the solution we're ready to price.

And as both a fellow member and member in practice with the Institue of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), PBS is also committed to making sure that you have the right person for the job. All practice members have been highly trained to a professional standard, are members of the ICB and are devoted to continuing their professional development through the ICBs CPD programme as well as ongoing training. They are also experienced in their field of expertise. "Please don't confuse us with accountants, we both have specific jobs, although we're able to offer similar year end services without the jargon," Kim affirms, "you wouldn't build a house without a solid foundation. If you get the bookkeeping right then this makes the year end accounts a breeze for your accountant, if you have one. They'll thank us, they'll thank you and your annual bill will be reduced as a result." It's win, win then.

Parks Bookkeeping Services are here to listen, we're here to understand and we're here to help. And if you don't believe us, here's what our clients and collaborators, past and present, have to say about us:

"Kim is a joy to work with, in the relatively short time we’ve worked together I’ve found her to be extremely knowledgeable, highly responsive and super helpful as the business migrated to a new system. She completely understands our business and brings a perfect blend of good practice, patience and humour! I’m very glad to have found her and would highly recommend her services."

Rebecca Howes, Director - Creative Consultancy

"We have been working with Kim from Parks Bookkeeping for nearly three years now. During this time she has proven to be reliable, trustworthy and professional."Ivan & Albena Yordanova, Directors - Web solutions and IT support

"I can thoroughly recommend and endorse the services provided by Parks Bookkeeping Services. Kim has worked with us for over four years now and has been an asset we could not have managed without. The service she provides is accurate, timely and cost-effective, plus she integrates well with the rest of the organisation. She would prove a very worthwhile addition to any business requiring her talents."Paul Read, Business Owner - Bespoke tailors

"Kim has organised our bookkeeping as well as our payroll for some time now and I would thoroughly recommend her services. She is professional, organised, reliable and friendly. A real asset to have on board."

Stuart Balmer, Director - Dress designers and manufacturers

"Since Kim arrived our bookkeeping system has been transformed. She is incredibly knowledgeable and takes a personal interest in each of our businesses, also offering advice to designing bespoke Excel databases and transferring us onto a digital system which have completely streamlined the way we work. She is completely at ease liaising with our accountants who are also incredibly impressed with her skills and knowledge. We are very happy with Kim and will always recommend her as an ideal bookkeeper."

Michael Traboulsi, Director - Media production

"Kim has worked for Lambeth and Southwark Mind (Reg'd Charity No. 296893) as a bookkeeper since 2012, also providing us with payroll services, and we have been more than satisfied with her thorough work, responsive and constructive approach and her ability to get on well with everyone. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to other small charities and businesses."

Gwilym Harbottle, Chair of Trustees - Part of MIND, the mental health charity

"I have been using Parks Bookkeeping for around three years and been impressed with the level of service. The advice and responsive nature of communication has been of a very high quality and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to others."

Zak Jacobs, Director - SEO specialists

"Kim delivers on all fronts – since taking over our bookkeeping function she has taken a huge workload off our plate with Xero fuss, very little explanation required, and impeccable attention to detail. She works quickly, methodically and accurately, and sticks to deadlines. Her flexibility and affable nature have been a godsend when we've had to drop everything at short notice. She simply gets on with the job and plays an important role in our company. I can't recommend her highly enough."

Rachel Mackinnon, Director - PR agency

"I have been using Kim's bookkeeping services for nearly three years and I am very pleased with the services she provides me.Kim is very accurate in her job and has a warm and pleasant personality. The experience and knowledge she has of all aspects of the accounts has proved invaluable for our business."

"I have worked with Kim on SME finance projects. She is flexible whilst being professional in her approach being able to bring a dry subject to life for clients. I would not hesitate to recommend her to our clients and others that need a self-starting motivated accounting solution in their business."

"I worked with Kim during a period when I was acting as Interim Director of a small charity which needed help sorting out a number of deep-rooted problems; one of these was that its books had been allowed to fall into a state of chaos, which had led to several key grants being suspended. Kim started work as a freelance bookkeeper at the same time as I started; she virtually single-handedly sorted out the historical mess into which the books had fallen, and provided an absolutely reliable set of figures which could be used to produce management accounts and reports to funders and potential transfer partners. I found her a delight to work with – efficient, unflappable, quick on the uptake, one of nature's proactive problem-solvers, and a genuine team player. I would not hesitate to use her again if the situation arose, and I recommend her thoroughly."

Alan Cripps, Director - Non-profit organisations consultancy

"Parks Bookkeeping are an asset to any business. From the smallest start-up to an already established business, they have the expertise to tailor their service to suit any client, large or small. From basic bookkeeping to VAT returns, management accounts preparation, cash flow forecasting and credit control they provide all that is needed to provide a clear picture of a business, highlighting its successes and those areas which need attention. This provides business owners with the tools to successfully grow their businesses and address any areas of concern before they become problematic. Kim Parks is a highly motivated individual with a "can do" attitude who is able to communicate effectively and efficiently at all levels. Their pricing structure is very competitive and represents excellent value for money. I thoroughly recommend them, and would urge you to give them a try."